Bacterial valorization of pre-treated kraft lignin for biolipids production through metagenomic approach

• Grant number: 23/09410-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: August 01, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Anuj Kumar
• Grantee: Ubiratan da Silva Batista
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/12559-6 - Bio-valorization of lignin from Kraft pulp mills through establishment of Pulp-Ligcon metagenome sequencing, AP.JP

Abstract

The proposal of this master's project aims to evaluate alternatives for biolipids production from kraft lignin using environmental microorganisms in a biorefinery context. Although most of the DEBIQ/EEL-USP's lines of research work with carbohydrate fraction, this project aims to contribute to a pioneering line in the biological valorization of kraft lignin in biolipids using model strain, such as the bacterial strain Rhodococcus opacus CBMAI 812. Consequently, it will help consolidate a new line of research in the department. Triacylglycerols (TAGs), like other biolipids, are raw materials for biolipid-based fuels production, such as biodiesel and biojet fuel. Although several microorganisms can produce TAGs from renewable resources, linking aromatic catabolism with lipid anabolism represents a new lignin utilization strategy. The core of this metabolic pathway has already been proven possible by using bacteria to degrade lignin compounds and convert them into triacylglycerols (TAG) that have been accumulated to oleaginous levels. In this sense, the project contemplates the development of two microbial consortia aiming at efficient lignin degrading activity. Subsequently, metagenomic data of the the microbial community will be evaluated, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and will be correlated with genomic and culture data from model organisms for biolipid production. Based on these results, metabolic pathways and genes involved in kraft lignin degradation for biolipid production will be elucidated and may be explored in the future to increase the efficiency of the biovalorization of these products. It is expected that scientific discoveries contribute significantly to the diversification of bioproducts in the pulp and paper industry for the use of kraft lignin, with biolipids as a co-product of high-added value within a biorefinery.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PEREIRA, ALZIRA APARECIDA; BATISTA, UBIRATAN DA SILVA; YAVERINO-GUTIERREZ, MARIO ALBERTO; ASCENCIO, JESUS JIMENEZ; FERRAZ, ANDRE; CHANDEL, ANUJ KUMAR. Microbial consortium enrichment with alkaline-treated eucalyptus kraft lignin promotes selective bacterial diversity. BIOMASS & BIOENERGY, v. 193, p. 10-pg., 2025-01-03. (22/13184-1, 22/05214-8, 20/12559-6, 23/09410-9, 23/12273-3)